Endogenous retroviruses as targets for antitumor immunity in renal cell cancer and other tumors.

ABSTRACT: Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), remnants of ancient germ-line infections with exogenous retroviruses, are estimated to comprise up to 8% of human genome. Most HERVs have accumulated mutations and deletions that prevent their expression as an infectious virus. Nevertheless, a growing number of HERV genes and proteins have been found to be expressed in different cancers, raising the possibility that HERV-derived antigens might represent excellent targets for tumor immunotherapy. Here, we review data showing HERV-encoded antigens are capable of eliciting humoral and T-cells specific antitumor immunity. We also describe a novel HERV-E that was recently found to be selectively expressed in over 80% of clear cell kidney cancer but not in normal tissues. Remarkably, the restricted expressi

SUBMITTER: Cherkasova E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3775266 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature